The first vegetable I learned to eat as a child was potato. Yes, potatoes are botanically classified as a vegetable. People can argue all they want that it’s a starchy food and it’s part of the carbs family but fact is, potatoes are nutritious in more ways than most of us know.

Personally I’ve always been partial to US Potatoes. I first had a taste when my mom took me to McDonalds the first time decades ago. For me, McDonalds has always had the best fries and it’s no secret that they use US Potatoes.

Whenever I cook for the family, there’s almost always a main dish and a side dish. Potato side dishes are a favorite in our home so I always have a stash of US Potatoes in our freezer. US Potatoes make cooking meals quicker and easier because they’re available in wedges, slices, and other forms. Saves me the trouble of having to clean and chop them up.

Nutrition-wise, aside from the much vilified carbohydrates, potatoes actually contain the following nutrients:

Vitamin C – It’s not only citrus fruits that contain Vitamin C. According to Potatoes USA, the United States’ potato marketing and research organization, potatoes contain 45% Vitamin C. That’s more than 1 medium tomato (40%) and 1 sweet potato (30%). Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant which stabilizes free radicals. This helps prevent cellular damage. Not only does Vitamin C enhance our immune system, it has anti-aging benefits too!

Fiber – One medium potato with skin contributes 2 grams of fiber of 8% of the daily value
per serving. Soluble fiber may help with weight loss as it makes you feel full longer.

Vitamin B6 – Potatoes are a good source of vitamin B6. One medium potato provides 10%
of the recommended daily value. Vitamin B6 is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin, an essential component of red blood cells.

Iron – One medium potato provides 6% of the recommended daily value of iron. Iron carries oxygen to the muscles and brain. It’s crucial for optimum mental and physical performance.

Potassium – Potatoes are considered to be one of the best sources of potassium. One medium potato with skin provides 620 milligrams of Potassium which is 18% of the recommended daily value (DV). Potassium helps maintain normal blood pressure.

According to the 2010 Dietary guidelines by the USDA and Department of Health and Human Services, potatoes have no cholesterol or saturated fat. Diets low in cholesterol and saturated fat may reduce its risk of heart disease. That means potatoes are good for our heart health. 🙂

So last night I whipped up a tasty side dish of Foil Baked Fries Topped with Cheese and Bacon. It’s really easy to do, I just lined up frozen Straight Cut US Potatoes which I fried first. As soon as they were crispy, I lined them inside some aluminum foil and then topped them with a mix of gouda, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses. Then I baked inside the oven for about 6-7 minutes so the cheese gets all melty. I topped with crunchy bacon and green onions after I took the potatoes out. Everyone at home loves potatoes so US Potatoes are really a go-to ingredient for me.

You can purchase US Potatoes at selected SM Supermarkets, Rustans Supermarkets, Shopwise, Pioneer Center Supermarket, and Duty Free Philippines. For more information, log on to the official Potatoes USA Facebook Page.